Rita hadn't expected someone to throw her own words right back at her.
If it had been anyone else, Rita would have long since unleashed her sharp tongue in a merciless retort. But since the one speaking was Lin Wei, she could only say with a hint of lament, "A heroic deed is certainly admirable, but..."
But sometimes, playing it safe is its own form of wisdom, Rita thought to herself, not voicing the words aloud.
Playing it safe, biding her time—this had always been Rita's survival strategy within Schicksal. It was why she obeyed Otto's every command, dutifully and without question.
And it was precisely because she was competent enough, obedient enough, and humble enough that, amidst her total compliance, she could carve out a little space for herself—to hide her own small, unknown secrets right under his nose...
In all of Schicksal, the only ones who had managed the feat of "keeping a secret from Otto" were the ancient and "cunning" Fu Hua, and this new-generation Valkyrie, Rita, who appeared as humble and low-key as a maid.
"A heroic deed? Heh, I'm no hero. Quite the opposite, actually. I'm an expert at self-preservation."
Lin Wei smiled.
"Otherwise, why do you think I chose to live in Singapore for all that time? Wasn't it precisely because the place was far enough away from both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy?"
"..."
Rita felt a little helpless. She was starting to truly regret being so sharp-witted, so clever back then.
If even Lady Fu Hua was willing to turn a blind eye to him, why did I have to be the one to drag him out into the open?
Although the past couldn't be changed, and a world-shattering Honkai eruption had altered everything, a sense of remorse still lingered in Rita's heart, refusing to dissipate.
"As for struggles and tragedies? Hahaha..."
Lin Wei's smile widened. He raised his eyes to meet Rita's, yet it felt as if he were looking past her, directly at the man standing behind her. With a cheerful grin, he said,
"For the esteemed Overseer Otto Apocalypse, the greatest tragedy of his life was precisely that, five hundred years ago, when he was far from being as powerful as he is today, he submitted to his own weakness and lacked the courage to struggle just a tiny little bit..."
As he spoke, he thoughtfully held up two fingers to show Rita a "small" gesture.
"And then, after giving up on something he could have finished in five minutes, he regretted it. So he decided to spend the next five hundred years, investing trillions of times the cost, just to get it back—see!"
Lin Wei snapped his two fingers together in the air, unable to contain his laughter.
"Tell me, is there a funnier, more absurd comedy in this entire world?"
They were completely talking past each other, yet both Lin Wei and Rita understood exactly what the other was trying to say.
You're saying my actions are irrational, too reckless, too foolish.
But Lin Wei was saying: If I were to truly back down now, do nothing, and let fate—or rather, someone else acting in the name of "fate"—pass judgment, wouldn't that be just a little too sad, a little too pathetic?
"..."
Rita was at a loss for words.
She fell silent partly because, as a subordinate, she couldn't openly criticize her superior with the same abandon as Lin Wei. But it was also because she genuinely had no rebuttal for him.
To use a rough analogy: saying the same thing, like "saving the world," held vastly different meanings and weight coming from Susannah versus coming from Otto.
With the former, Rita could bluntly criticize her for her shameless boasting, even using a punishing training session to help her face reality and stop aiming so high.
With the latter, Rita only needed to ask, obey, execute, and cooperate. Any doubts she might have would be a meaningless waste of time.
This wasn't just because Otto, as the Overseer of Schicksal, truly held the world's destiny in his hands.
It was also because, over the course of five hundred long years, everyone had come to believe from the bottom of their hearts that if Overseer Otto said he was going to "save the world," it meant he had genuinely found a way to do it—just like the plan she and Durandal were currently helping to execute...
To be sure, Lin Wei didn't carry the weight of a mountain like Otto, but neither was he as insignificant as Susannah.
True, if Lin Wei were to spout grand ambitions like "changing the future destiny of humanity" right now, Rita would also mock him for his delusional ramblings and mentally dock points from her evaluation of him.
But if he were to say something like "I want to be a hero," no one would doubt he had the right to try.
The Honkai Eruption in Manila was just another scar on the face of the world, another small patch of lights permanently extinguished on the nighttime satellite map. It wouldn't stop the sun from rising the next day. But for Lin Wei, it had changed so very much, all in a single night.
From Rita's perspective alone, before that incident, Lin Wei had been nothing more than a secretive rat skulking in the shadows, no different from the many fugitives she had captured or eliminated in the past. He wasn't worthy of any attention beyond the scope of her mission.
But after that day, she found herself willingly preparing his breakfast, arranging his room, and coordinating his outfits. She remained calm, even finding it natural, when faced with his repeated impertinence and insolence.
This wasn't just because of Otto's orders and instructions. It was also because, deep down, she didn't truly want to be enemies with someone like him. Furthermore, as the "direct culprit" who had exposed him to Otto, Rita felt a deep sense of guilt towards Lin Wei after the tragic battle in Manila.
This feeling was especially strong after she witnessed firsthand how utterly incompatible he and Overseer Otto were—like fire and water. As far as she knew, the last enemy the Overseer had been so determined to capture was that Soulium avatar from over a century ago, the one that had awakened its own consciousness, defected, and named itself "Shadow of the Sun-Chaser"...
Just as Rita's thoughts drifted to the old, long-devalued files she had once read, Lin Wei's voice reached her ears at the perfect moment:
"Besides, Miss Rita, as Overseer Otto's right-hand woman, you should know better than anyone the lengths he'll go to in his pursuit of me."
Lin Wei spread his hands, speaking unhurriedly.
"Rather than dragging this out day by day, letting Otto accumulate more and more leverage while the space I have to operate shrinks bit by bit... Rather than living on edge, hiding here and there, unable to eat or sleep in peace... And rather than letting the innocent Miss Anna bear the blame and punishment that isn't hers to bear because of my disappearance—instead of sitting back and waiting for my doom, why not take the initiative and strike? What do you think, Miss Rita?"
"In a way, Lin Wei is an even worse person to deal with than Deliati (德里亚蒂 IDK who)—at least the latter was a thorough villain, a threat, a criminal. When Lady Fu Hua took action against him back then, she wouldn't have had any psychological burden. But now..."
Rita's mind churned with complex thoughts, but she quickly cut them off. She smiled and said,
"If Mr. Lin thinks he can win Rita's sympathy with just a few words, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
With her intelligence, how could she not understand the hidden subtext in Lin Wei's words?
"Sympathy? Heh, not at all. As an enemy of the Schicksal Overseer, I never thought I could make his top Valkyrie switch sides with just a few words—of course, Yuno's case is special, and I hope Miss Rita won't be too hard on her."
Lin Wei spoke calmly and with a hint of magnanimity.
"I was just thinking that in this final stretch of time, before we are forced to meet on the battlefield, the small friendship between Miss Rita and myself could continue. As for what comes after... naturally, we will each serve our own master and accept our own fate."
"...Heh, Mr. Lin is certainly carefree. And a master of eliciting sympathy, at that."
Rita gave a slight, wry laugh. It was unclear if she was mocking herself or Lin Wei's strategy of "advancing by retreating."
"If there's nothing else, it's about time for Rita to report back to the Overseer."
"Please, Miss Rita."
Lin Wei smiled faintly, raised his coffee cup in a small gesture of acknowledgment, and said in a completely unconcerned tone,
"Just report everything as it happened. He knows what he needs to do."
His tone made it sound as if he were speaking not of an enemy, but of an old friend with whom he shared a deep, unspoken understanding.
"Is that so? That certainly saves me a lot of tedious work."
Rita smiled lightly. Her wine-red eyes, half-hidden by her short hair, shifted slightly, glancing at Yuno. In a somewhat probing tone, she asked,
"Although it's no longer my place to ask, given our current positions... are you certain you want to involve her in this affair?"
"I..."
Yuno started to protest, but Lin Wei gently pressed her arm down. He smiled and said,
"When Don Quixote charged at the hundred-armed giants before him, he always had a companion by his side."
Seeing that Lin Wei had already answered for her, Yuno decided not to speak just yet.
"Hundred-armed giants? Heh... It was nothing more than the foolish act of a stubborn and ignorant old man charging at windmills."
Lin Wei's response was clearly not enough to convince Rita.
"Since Mr. Lin has already pulled her out of Schicksal, you shouldn't have let her come back."
"I..."
Yuno wanted to explain again. This time, she glanced at Lin Wei first. After seeing his encouraging look, she finally relaxed and said,
"It has nothing to do with Mr. Lin. I was worried about Anna, so I begged him to bring me back with him."
"...Is that so? Yuno, your ability to express yourself has improved so much. I'm truly happy for you," Rita said with a sigh.
"...Thank you."
Yuno wasn't quite sure how to respond and just sat back down, a little dazed.
"Whether it's an act of folly or an act of faith, it doesn't matter. After all, I'm not Don Quixote, and Otto isn't a real windmill," Lin Wei said, enunciating each word.
"As for Yuno, she is indeed an indispensable companion on this journey. Anna is her best friend in Schicksal. After escaping her own sea of suffering, how could she possibly abandon her friend's safety? It's just like..."
Here, he glanced at Rita again and continued in a meaningful tone,
"If one day, Durandal were to face an unfathomable risk, I believe Miss Rita would commit the same 'act of folly'."
He put a slight emphasis on the last two words, as if this was his true answer to her.
"...Is that so? I understand."
Rita gave Lin Wei and Yuno a deep look, then broke into a radiant smile. She gave a slight bow and politely turned to leave.
---||---
"Overseer..."
Finding a corner out of sight, Rita deftly removed the long necklace from her neck and activated her communicator in the quiet, undisturbed space. When Otto's holographic projection appeared before her, Rita adopted a humble posture and reported the contents of her conversation with Lin Wei, word for word.
"So that's how it is?"
Otto smiled slightly.
"To be so direct with him... that's not like you, is it?"
Though the question was simple, Rita didn't dare take it lightly. She had, after all, lost her composure, something she couldn't possibly hide from Otto's eyes. She replied, feeling a little ashamed,
"I've made a fool of myself in front of you, Overseer."
When it comes to Otto, it's best not to make any excuses.
"Heh, it's fine. That man is a deep schemer. Even Fu Hua was outmaneuvered by him. Being more direct with him actually saves a lot of trouble."
Otto didn't seem to hold it against Rita, letting her off the hook easily.
"It seems our previous predictions were correct. The reason this gentleman has appeared here is indeed to deliver a challenge to us. As for our return gift, I'm sure he was quite satisfied with it."
Lin Wei's appearance was a challenge. Otto's "gift" of the cursed blade was also a challenge. Both sides had been playing with their cards on the table from the start. Rita was merely a messenger, relaying the signals between them.
"But to dare commit such an act of folly, what confidence does our esteemed Mr. Lin possess?"
Otto mused aloud, tapping his chin.
"To walk right into the lion's den with just a lunatic who's at constant risk of losing control? Heh, he may want to play Don Quixote, but I don't think he's truly that foolish."
Unfortunately, Rita failed to pry that piece of information out of him. Perhaps that's the side effect of being so 'direct,' Otto thought.
Or perhaps, being so frank with Rita was Lin Wei's way of hiding his trump card?
Just as Lin Wei could easily understand Otto, Otto could see right through the true purpose hidden behind all of Lin Wei's posturing.
But what was his source of confidence?
Otto was completely baffled. Compared to himself, who was as obvious as a windmill, this "challenger" from afar had revealed far too little about himself.
"Perhaps he's hiding some new equipment, a new weapon, a new Battlesuit, or another unknown Divine Key," Rita replied humbly, her guesses hitting close to the mark of Lin Wei's secrets.
"Or maybe, he's just relying on his Key of Corruption? After all, no matter how we guard against it, the authority of Corruption poses a massive threat to you, Overseer, and even to all of Schicksal."
"The Key of Corruption? No, no, quite the opposite. The one thing we don't need to worry about is that most threatening of Keys."
A mocking smile played on Otto's lips.
"That esteemed, glory-seeking great hero is a staunch defender of human civilization. How could he possibly allow Schicksal, humanity's greatest protector, to suffer any significant losses for no reason?"
At this, he let out another strange laugh.
"My, my, from this perspective, compared to me, the ever-profligate Overseer of Schicksal, it seems Mr. Lin treasures Schicksal's assets more than I do. Rita, wouldn't you say I'm quite unqualified for my job?"
"...You're joking, Overseer."
Rita laughed awkwardly. There was no right way to answer such a loaded question.
"Just a joke, just a joke, don't mind me."
Otto laughed at the slightly awkward Rita, then let the matter drop and continued,
"As for me personally... heh, to be honest, the very thought that the Key of Corruption truly exists in this world scares me to death. After all, my very form of life is as fragile as an ant before the authority of Corruption..."
He was exposing his own weaknesses without the slightest reservation.
"Then why..."
Rita asked, confused, playing the perfect straight man to prevent Otto's self-deprecating praise from falling flat halfway through.
"But this humble ant has all of you powerful Valkyries to protect me."
Otto grinned, saying shamelessly,
"If I were to unfortunately meet my end at his hands, you, Durandal, and even Fu Hua and her Valkyries would surely avenge me, right?"
"...That's too risky a way of thinking, Overseer."
Now that her leader had spoken, Rita had to answer seriously.
"If it ends in mutual destruction, the price would be far too heavy..."
Without the Overseer, Schicksal would inevitably fall into internal chaos. All ongoing plans would grind to a halt, and the efforts to forge a new path for humanity's future would come to nothing...
Such a terrifying outcome was something neither Rita nor Durandal wished to see.
"Heh, you're right. The price is too heavy. Schicksal can't afford it, and neither can I."
Otto's smile faded slightly, leaving only a mocking curve on his lips.
"You see? Isn't that his trump card?"
If Otto was unwilling to accept a mutually destructive end, then Lin Wei could rest easy. And if it did come to mutual destruction... well, then it would be mutual destruction.
The logic of a shameless brawler was just that simple, and just that infuriating.
Otto knew this all too well.
"But, do you really underestimate me that much?"
Otto continued to ponder, but still couldn't come to a clear conclusion.
"Heh, so be it. No matter what kind of ace you're hiding, whether it's a Divine Key or a powerful, unknown ally, the moment you play your hand, it will all be revealed."
With that thought, Otto stopped wrestling with it. He looked up at Rita and said,
"Tell him I accept."
After giving the plain command, his tone shifted, and his expression softened into a warm, gentle smile.
"But there is one error I'd like you to help me correct for him."
"Please, instruct me, Overseer."
"If Don Quixote wants to challenge the hundred-armed giants of his imagination, then let him. We can't talk him out of it."
Otto smiled.
"As for me? I have simply seen a long-lost old friend and wish to invite him for a meeting to reminisce about old times!"